Viewing sports as a potential instrument for peace, the Universal Peace Federation designed a one-day Sports for Peace program that integrates sports and education in order to promote peaceful communities. The sports component involves teams playing a popular sport such as football (soccer), basketball, or races. An optional additional component is playing or demonstrating a traditional game. Coaches and officials should encourage good sportsmanship during competitions. The educational component is aligned with the UN's effort to promote peace and development through sports while increasing the awareness of the benefits sports can contribute to personal development, community harmony, and a healthy lifestyle. The following guidelines are offered to organizers of the day's activities.
Seek partners and create a working group that can meet regularly and share responsibilities to carry out the various tasks.
Select the sport, clarify the qualifications to play, and plan how to recruit players.
Select an appropriate sports venue that can handle the number of teams involved; arrange locations for the community gathering and education session.
Obtain the necessary sports equipment, chairs, microphone, and sound equipment. Make a banner for the event.
Clarify rules and guidelines, including a code of good sportsmanship for participants to sign.
Recruit team leaders, referees, and other officials. Hold an orientation explaining the schedule, rules, and guidelines.
Ask local businesses for support; for example, sports stores, water company, food suppliers, etc. Decide whether vendors will set up concession stands to sell food and drinks or whether they will be given at no cost.
Arrange for first-aid supplies and people trained to give first aid.
Announce the event on the radio, in newspapers, on the Internet, etc., inviting the community to the opening gathering and the award ceremony.
Arrange a system for participants to register. Participants should sign the code of good sportsmanship and parents should sign a medical release.
Organize teams and assign staff to the teams. Distribute contact information about team members, officials, and staff. Determine what team members will wear to identify them (examples: arm bands or T-shirts).
Find appropriate teachers or players who can demonstrate a traditional sport or game. Decide with them whether the sport or game will be demonstrated or whether a competition will take place. Make sure that they have what they need.
Review the material for the educational seminar and practice presenting it.
Arrange for a photographer to cover all aspects of the day and select the best photos for a report.
Recruit parents and other volunteers to set up for the event, including sign-in tables, water, and food.
Create an event program with the schedule and a list of sponsors. Print certificates of participation and certificates of recognition for good sportsmanship and cooperation. Arrange for a way of honoring the winning team.
Sample Schedule for the Day
8:00 am - Organizing staff meet 8:30 am - Registration for participants 9:00 am - Community gathering, beginning with the national anthem, if appropriate. Brief explanations about the competition, and the seminar. Introduce the team members and officials as well as the representatives of the traditional sports. If the event is taking place on a commemorative day such as the UN International Day of Peace, explain about the special day. 9:30 am - Morning competitions 11:00 am - Seminar about Sports for Peace 12:00 noon - Meal break 12:30 pm - Demonstration of a traditional sport or game 1:30 pm - Afternoon competitions 3:00 pm - Awards ceremony and expressions of appreciation for participants, staff, partners, and donors
Adjust the schedule according to your situation. The awards ceremony can be very simple. If all team members are receiving a certificate of participation, team leaders may pass them out rather then calling every person up to receive the certificate.
Organizing the Sports Activities
A locally organized competition in a popular international sport such as football, basketball, or track. We recommend a football competition because it is popular and doesn't involve expenses. If possible, include a traditional sport, with community elders playing a demonstration game or coaching teams.
Q. What age participants should we invite?
A. The availability of playing fields may limit the number of teams. We recommend inviting participants with experience playing the sport, so the event will focus on playing rather than teaching. Older youth can serve as coaches, officials, and staff. This will give them opportunities to serve as good role models and be recognized for making a contribution to their community.
Q. Should we have separate teams for boys and girls?
A. This depends on cultural sensitivities. You should offer opportunities for both girls and boys to play. Mixed teams may be suitable for younger children, but for participants older than 13, we advise separate teams.
Q. Should we give prizes?
A. Prizes are exciting, and if you can give them it is a plus. Prizes can be something creative; for example, a local sponsor may offer a free movie ticket. Consider presenting all competitors with a certificate of participation. To reinforce the educational component, give awards for good sportsmanship and positive attitude.
Q. What if many participants want to play?
A. There are several factors to consider: How many people you want to involve and how many games would be required to get them involved? Will each team play once or will you have playoffs to determine the overall winner? How much time is available? How many fields can be used? How tired will younger players become? Do you have the necessary officials and staff? Once you have a clear idea about how many people will be participating, you can set up a schedule.
Q. Do teams need to be regulation size games regulation length?
A. Shorter than regulation competitions make it possible to involve more players and have play-offs. In football, 7-person teams involve more action than 11-person teams. A basketball game can played to 11 or 15 points and can involve 3 players per team rather than the regulation 5 players.
Q. How about rules?
A. Make sure that the rules are clear and that each competition has referees or officials that focus on good sportsmanship. These may be adults or experienced older youth; it's best not to have parents as officials in games their children participate in.
Q. What safety arrangements are needed?
A. Have first-aid supplies on hand and someone trained to administer it. Make sure that enough water (and/or sports drinks) is available for the players. In addition, you may want to sell drinks to those attending the event. If you can get water or drinks donated, that is a plus; you will need to decide if their will be a charge.
Q. Why include a traditional sport?
A. Traditional games are anchors of community stability, a critical element in peaceful societies. Having community elders demonstrate traditional games or coach the younger generations in playing them is an opportunity for multi-generational cooperation, a vital contributor to community harmony.
Guiding a Group Discussion
The following are guidelines for a discussion session that can be part of the educational component of a Sports for Peace program. This can be used in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace, September 21.
Materials: Poster board, a large piece of paper, or a writing surface; tape
Preparation: Divide the paper into three vertical columns with the following headers: (1) Positive Values, (2) Negative Values, (3) Impact on the Community.
Instructions to participants: Form into groups of 6 to 10 people each. (If the audience is very large and time is limited, groups should be larger because of the time it takes for each group to report.) You will have three questions to discuss as a group and share your answers with everyone.
Discussion topic:What are the positive values I can learn through sports?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the positive values on the paper. When more than one group gives the same value, add a check mark beside that value.
Commentary: “When sports are coached and played the right way, they can have a positive impact on individuals, teams and society. However, if the coaches and players have the attitude that winning is everything, it can have a negative impact on individuals. It is important that we set a good standard and tradition in playing sports.”
Discussion topic:What are some negative values sports can teach if sports are taught and played with the wrong attitude?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the negative values on the paper. When more than one group gives the same value, add a check mark beside that value.
Discussion topic:What are ways that sports can make a positive impact in your community?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the positive impacts on the paper. When more than one group gives the same answer, add a check mark beside that answer.
Commentary: “We suggest that good results in sports require standards that serve as a compass. The compass helps guide individuals and teams to maintain a core set of principles and promote positive values. Here are seven principles that the UPF uses in its Sports for Peace programs. We recommend they be considered when sports are played in your community.”
Everyone contributes.
Model the values you want to see.
Play within the rules.
Invest your all – mind, body, spirit, and heart.
Appreciate and respect yourself and others.
Fundamentals are essential.
Unity opens the door to success.
Leading Team-Building Exercises
The following interactive learning exercises can be used as part of Sports for Peace programs. This can be used in conjunction with a service project or the UN International Day of Peace, September 21.
"Helium" Stick
To prepare, roll one sheet of newspaper diagonally into a thin stick. Assign groups of five or six people per "stick" to stand in a circle around it. Each person puts an index finger under the stick to support it, alternating fingers in a circle. Tell the group that the objective of this exercise is to lower the stick to the ground while keeping each person's index finger in contact with the stick. To do this requires working together, being patient, and communicating effectively.
The tendency is for the stick to surprisingly go UP instead of down because everyone is trying to support the stick (this exercise is called a "helium" stick because a balloon filled with helium gas will rise). Members of the group often blame each other for lifting the stick UP, although each person generally helps push it up. The group succeeds in lowering the stick when members take individual responsibility and communicate well.
Balloon Ballet
This fun game that promotes cooperation is done with balloons. To prepare, inflate many more balloons than the number of people involved in the activity. In an open area where people can move around ask everyone to stand in a circle. Tell people that the objective is to bounce the balloons up, keep them in the air, and not let them touch the ground. Throw balloons into the circle until each person has one balloon to keep in the air. Each person tends to focus on his or her balloon. After a while, throw more and more balloons into the circle. This will create an environment where people will need to take responsibility for more and more balloons. Participants will need to cooperate and communicate to keep the balloons in the air. Stop adding balloons when it seems the group is pushed to its limit. After the exercise ask the participants to share what they learned about team work and cooperation through this exercise.
Human Knot
To prepare, have groups of five to seven participants (you can make larger groups for more experienced participants) stand in circle facing each other.
Tell them to put out their left hand and hold the hand of someone who is NOT standing next to them. Then put out their right hand and hold ANOTHER person's hand who is not next to them. Now ask them to untangle themselves WITHOUT letting go of each other's hands (they may change the way they grip hands).
Quotes by Olympic athletes
"One of my favorite sayings I got off a soda bottle: NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN. To me that means you'll get out of life about what you're willing to put in. All champions have made great sacrifices to win their victories. So when someone talks to me about their goals and dreams, I ask them one question: 'What are you willing to do about it?'" - John Naber, Four-time Olympic gold medalist, Swimming
"All through my professional and amateur career, I worked a little harder and trained a little extra. I was the first one at practice and the last one to leave. My philosophy was: Do what you're required to do, and then do a little more. Because of my athletic accomplishments, I have the opportunity to speak to young people who may or may not be on the right path in life. I tell them that they can only reach their full potential by making the right choices, and I remind them that the right choices are seldom easy ones." - Samuel Grady, Olympic gold medalist, Track & Field
"I have RP, a genetic disease that causes you to slowly lose your vision, like a slow leak in a tire. Thirteen years after I was diagnosed, my lights went out. Today, I'm a raging bull. I haven't even made a dent yet. I took all my negative energy and focused it on doing positive things. I don't want to be remembered as a person who set world records for the blind. I want to be remembered as a person who helped others. Disability is only a state of mind. In my opinion, the human body is a container, and the container comes in different sizes and shapes and colors. Some have no hair; some are long and slender or short and stout. Some have no headlights, like me. The important thing to remember is that the essence of our humanity is the spirit that lies within our container. We all have this spirit, and it is a reservoir of tremendous potential. When you tap into this potential, you can move mountains. And if you can't do that, you can still drill right through them." - Rich Ruffalo, Paralympic gold medalist, Discus
"My coach said, 'Believe in yourself. Run with heart and put the rest aside.' It's amazing how your body responds to your thoughts." - Carlette Guidry, Olympian, 200-meter
This lesson plan was written for the Universal Peace Federation by John Gehring, Director of Sports for Peace, with contributions from Diesa Seidel.
See reports of Sports for Peace programs in Burkina Faso, Chad, Jordan, Russia, and Zimbabwe.
Introduction
Viewing sports as a potential instrument for peace, the Universal Peace Federation designed a one-day Sports for Peace program that integrates sports and education in order to promote peaceful communities. The sports component involves teams playing a popular sport such as football (soccer), basketball, or races. An optional additional component is playing or demonstrating a traditional game. Coaches and officials should encourage good sportsmanship during competitions. The educational component is aligned with the UN's effort to promote peace and development through sports while increasing the awareness of the benefits sports can contribute to personal development, community harmony, and a healthy lifestyle. The following guidelines are offered to organizers of the day's activities.Table of Contents
Preparation
Sample Schedule for the Day
8:00 am - Organizing staff meet8:30 am - Registration for participants
9:00 am - Community gathering, beginning with the national anthem, if appropriate. Brief explanations about the competition, and the seminar. Introduce the team members and officials as well as the representatives of the traditional sports. If the event is taking place on a commemorative day such as the UN International Day of Peace, explain about the special day.
9:30 am - Morning competitions
11:00 am - Seminar about Sports for Peace
12:00 noon - Meal break
12:30 pm - Demonstration of a traditional sport or game
1:30 pm - Afternoon competitions
3:00 pm - Awards ceremony and expressions of appreciation for participants, staff, partners, and donors
Adjust the schedule according to your situation. The awards ceremony can be very simple. If all team members are receiving a certificate of participation, team leaders may pass them out rather then calling every person up to receive the certificate.
Organizing the Sports Activities
A locally organized competition in a popular international sport such as football, basketball, or track. We recommend a football competition because it is popular and doesn't involve expenses. If possible, include a traditional sport, with community elders playing a demonstration game or coaching teams.Q. What age participants should we invite?
A. The availability of playing fields may limit the number of teams. We recommend inviting participants with experience playing the sport, so the event will focus on playing rather than teaching. Older youth can serve as coaches, officials, and staff. This will give them opportunities to serve as good role models and be recognized for making a contribution to their community.
Q. Should we have separate teams for boys and girls?
A. This depends on cultural sensitivities. You should offer opportunities for both girls and boys to play. Mixed teams may be suitable for younger children, but for participants older than 13, we advise separate teams.
Q. Should we give prizes?
A. Prizes are exciting, and if you can give them it is a plus. Prizes can be something creative; for example, a local sponsor may offer a free movie ticket. Consider presenting all competitors with a certificate of participation. To reinforce the educational component, give awards for good sportsmanship and positive attitude.
Q. What if many participants want to play?
A. There are several factors to consider: How many people you want to involve and how many games would be required to get them involved? Will each team play once or will you have playoffs to determine the overall winner? How much time is available? How many fields can be used? How tired will younger players become? Do you have the necessary officials and staff? Once you have a clear idea about how many people will be participating, you can set up a schedule.
Q. Do teams need to be regulation size games regulation length?
A. Shorter than regulation competitions make it possible to involve more players and have play-offs. In football, 7-person teams involve more action than 11-person teams. A basketball game can played to 11 or 15 points and can involve 3 players per team rather than the regulation 5 players.
Q. How about rules?
A. Make sure that the rules are clear and that each competition has referees or officials that focus on good sportsmanship. These may be adults or experienced older youth; it's best not to have parents as officials in games their children participate in.
Q. What safety arrangements are needed?
A. Have first-aid supplies on hand and someone trained to administer it. Make sure that enough water (and/or sports drinks) is available for the players. In addition, you may want to sell drinks to those attending the event. If you can get water or drinks donated, that is a plus; you will need to decide if their will be a charge.
Q. Why include a traditional sport?
A. Traditional games are anchors of community stability, a critical element in peaceful societies. Having community elders demonstrate traditional games or coach the younger generations in playing them is an opportunity for multi-generational cooperation, a vital contributor to community harmony.
Guiding a Group Discussion
The following are guidelines for a discussion session that can be part of the educational component of a Sports for Peace program. This can be used in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace, September 21.Materials: Poster board, a large piece of paper, or a writing surface; tape
Preparation: Divide the paper into three vertical columns with the following headers: (1) Positive Values, (2) Negative Values, (3) Impact on the Community.
Instructions to participants: Form into groups of 6 to 10 people each. (If the audience is very large and time is limited, groups should be larger because of the time it takes for each group to report.) You will have three questions to discuss as a group and share your answers with everyone.
Discussion topic: What are the positive values I can learn through sports?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the positive values on the paper. When more than one group gives the same value, add a check mark beside that value.
Commentary: “When sports are coached and played the right way, they can have a positive impact on individuals, teams and society. However, if the coaches and players have the attitude that winning is everything, it can have a negative impact on individuals. It is important that we set a good standard and tradition in playing sports.”
Discussion topic: What are some negative values sports can teach if sports are taught and played with the wrong attitude?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the negative values on the paper. When more than one group gives the same value, add a check mark beside that value.
Discussion topic: What are ways that sports can make a positive impact in your community?
Have each group compile a list the values and then report the results to the seminar. As each group reports, list the positive impacts on the paper. When more than one group gives the same answer, add a check mark beside that answer.
Commentary: “We suggest that good results in sports require standards that serve as a compass. The compass helps guide individuals and teams to maintain a core set of principles and promote positive values. Here are seven principles that the UPF uses in its Sports for Peace programs. We recommend they be considered when sports are played in your community.”
Leading Team-Building Exercises
The following interactive learning exercises can be used as part of Sports for Peace programs. This can be used in conjunction with a service project or the UN International Day of Peace, September 21."Helium" Stick
To prepare, roll one sheet of newspaper diagonally into a thin stick. Assign groups of five or six people per "stick" to stand in a circle around it. Each person puts an index finger under the stick to support it, alternating fingers in a circle. Tell the group that the objective of this exercise is to lower the stick to the ground while keeping each person's index finger in contact with the stick. To do this requires working together, being patient, and communicating effectively.
The tendency is for the stick to surprisingly go UP instead of down because everyone is trying to support the stick (this exercise is called a "helium" stick because a balloon filled with helium gas will rise). Members of the group often blame each other for lifting the stick UP, although each person generally helps push it up. The group succeeds in lowering the stick when members take individual responsibility and communicate well.
Balloon Ballet
This fun game that promotes cooperation is done with balloons. To prepare, inflate many more balloons than the number of people involved in the activity. In an open area where people can move around ask everyone to stand in a circle. Tell people that the objective is to bounce the balloons up, keep them in the air, and not let them touch the ground. Throw balloons into the circle until each person has one balloon to keep in the air. Each person tends to focus on his or her balloon. After a while, throw more and more balloons into the circle. This will create an environment where people will need to take responsibility for more and more balloons. Participants will need to cooperate and communicate to keep the balloons in the air. Stop adding balloons when it seems the group is pushed to its limit. After the exercise ask the participants to share what they learned about team work and cooperation through this exercise.
Human Knot
To prepare, have groups of five to seven participants (you can make larger groups for more experienced participants) stand in circle facing each other.
Tell them to put out their left hand and hold the hand of someone who is NOT standing next to them. Then put out their right hand and hold ANOTHER person's hand who is not next to them. Now ask them to untangle themselves WITHOUT letting go of each other's hands (they may change the way they grip hands).
Quotes by Olympic athletes
"One of my favorite sayings I got off a soda bottle: NO DEPOSIT, NO RETURN. To me that means you'll get out of life about what you're willing to put in. All champions have made great sacrifices to win their victories. So when someone talks to me about their goals and dreams, I ask them one question: 'What are you willing to do about it?'" - John Naber, Four-time Olympic gold medalist, Swimming"All through my professional and amateur career, I worked a little harder and trained a little extra. I was the first one at practice and the last one to leave. My philosophy was: Do what you're required to do, and then do a little more. Because of my athletic accomplishments, I have the opportunity to speak to young people who may or may not be on the right path in life. I tell them that they can only reach their full potential by making the right choices, and I remind them that the right choices are seldom easy ones." - Samuel Grady, Olympic gold medalist, Track & Field
"I have RP, a genetic disease that causes you to slowly lose your vision, like a slow leak in a tire. Thirteen years after I was diagnosed, my lights went out. Today, I'm a raging bull. I haven't even made a dent yet. I took all my negative energy and focused it on doing positive things. I don't want to be remembered as a person who set world records for the blind. I want to be remembered as a person who helped others. Disability is only a state of mind. In my opinion, the human body is a container, and the container comes in different sizes and shapes and colors. Some have no hair; some are long and slender or short and stout. Some have no headlights, like me. The important thing to remember is that the essence of our humanity is the spirit that lies within our container. We all have this spirit, and it is a reservoir of tremendous potential. When you tap into this potential, you can move mountains. And if you can't do that, you can still drill right through them." - Rich Ruffalo, Paralympic gold medalist, Discus
"My coach said, 'Believe in yourself. Run with heart and put the rest aside.' It's amazing how your body responds to your thoughts." - Carlette Guidry, Olympian, 200-meter
This lesson plan was written for the Universal Peace Federation by John Gehring, Director of Sports for Peace, with contributions from Diesa Seidel.
See reports of Sports for Peace programs in Burkina Faso, Chad, Jordan, Russia, and Zimbabwe.
Resources
See information about the UN program: Sport for Development and Peace
Comments
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